.NET Developer Salary in Lansing, MI: $70,000-$125,000 (2026)

Lansing’s cost-of-living index (~88) materially improves a . NET developer’s purchasing power compared with many coastal tech hubs.

Rent for a one‑bedroom in central Lansing commonly runs $900–1,100/month; a two‑bedroom in desirable neighborhoods is often $1,100–1,400. Median single‑family home prices sit near $180k–$200k, which makes mortgage payments substantially lower than in Ann Arbor or Detroit suburbs.

Commute costs are modest: average one‑way drives are 15–25 minutes within the metro, and gas/insurance outlays typically align with state averages — plan roughly $200–300/month for fuel depending on commute. Utilities, groceries and services track slightly below national norms, so a mid‑level .

NET salary (~$85k) yields discretionary income comparable to a $95k–$100k salary in higher-COL cities. That said, targeted neighborhoods and private schools or premium childcare can erode savings, so factor family costs into offers and relocation planning.

Salaries for . NET developers in Lansing reflect a mix of public-sector hiring, education-sector IT needs, and regional private employers.

The State of Michigan maintains sizable in-house development and application modernization teams, often seeking . NET skills for internal case management, licensing and web services.

Michigan State University and Sparrow Health System drive demand for developers who can integrate campus or clinical systems with . NET backends and identity solutions.

Regional insurers and financial firms require . NET expertise for legacy application maintenance and modernization.

Manufacturing and auto suppliers in mid‑Michigan need developers for ERP integrations and factory floor reporting. These organizations typically offer stable, benefits-rich roles rather than Silicon Valley–level equity, pushing cash compensation to moderate levels but often improving total rewards via pensions, healthcare and steady hours.

Recent trends show steady hiring with periodic bursts tied to public funding cycles and health‑system IT projects.

Ann Arbor, Detroit and Grand Rapids offer useful comparators. Ann Arbor pays higher average .

NET salaries (roughly $105k) but has a COL index above 100—housing and rents can be 15–30% higher. Detroit’s tech market is larger and offers more corporate opportunities (average ~ $100k) with slightly higher COL.

Grand Rapids is closer in cost structure (COL ~92) and salary (~$98k) but has a stronger private‑sector tech scene. For Lansing-based developers: commuting to Ann Arbor or Detroit can be viable for higher pay if hybrid/remote arrangements are available—expect longer commutes (45–90 minutes) and added transport costs.

Relocation makes sense when salary uplift covers higher housing costs or when career moves provide accelerated technical leadership or domain specialization (healthcare/insurance). Remote roles increasingly allow Lansing residents to capture higher pay while retaining local housing advantages; target hybrid offers that cover occasional travel.

Entry . NET developers (0–2 years) typically start in application maintenance, internal tools, or front‑end integration tasks (C#, ASP.

NET, SQL Server). Expect 1–3 years to build a foundation in codebases, CI/CD basics, and enterprise patterns.

Mid‑level developers (3–7 years) move into full ownership of modules, system integrations, cloud migrations (Azure is common), and mentoring junior staff; salaries cluster near $80k–$90k. Senior engineers (8+ years) often lead project teams, architect solutions, and manage stakeholder relationships—these roles command $100k–$125k depending on domain expertise (healthcare or state systems pay premiums for compliance experience).

To accelerate growth locally, pursue cloud certifications (Azure), domain knowledge (healthcare compliance/HIPAA, state systems), and leadership or DevOps skills. Taking cross-functional projects with MSU, Sparrow or state initiatives can accelerate visibility and promotion.

When negotiating, anchor to realistic local ranges: entry $55k–65k, mid $75k–95k, senior $100k–125k. Emphasize domain experience (healthcare, public sector, insurance) and Azure/.

NET Core migration experience—these skills attract premium offers in Lansing. Ask about total rewards: many employers offset lower base pay with strong health benefits, pension/401(k) matching, flexible schedules, paid leave, and tuition assistance (useful given proximity to MSU).

If a position is remote or hybrid, negotiate occasional in‑office stipends, home office allowances, or travel reimbursement for on‑site days. For state or healthcare roles, highlight security clearance or compliance experience to boost leverage.

Finally, use local comparators (Sparrow, state contracts, MSU projects) when asking for +5–10% over initial offers rather than national benchmarks, which can be unrealistic in this market.